In the book of Luke 10:37, “Jesus says, ‘Yes, now go and do likewise!’” Holy Cow!
The context of this verse is in the parable of the Good Samaritan; a story with two “groups” of people that do not socialize, much less get along. “Group A” guy gets beat up and left for dead. “Group B” guy comes by after a pastor and “a small group leader” (neither of which did anything) and takes care of “Group A” guy, going as far as paying for his expenses at a state-of-the-art rehab facility. “WOW! What a friend!”
Well…it is more like, “What an enemy!” Let me say this plainly, Group A and Group B do not like each other. So much that the New Living Translation of the story uses the word “Despised.” They hated each other! There was no together or unity in this story!
“So Dan, how does this play out in my world today?” Glad you asked!
In our culture today, we are labeled so many ways: Democrat––Republican, Vegan––Meat Eater, Cyclone, Hawkeyes, or Husker Fan, Liberal––Conservative, Social Conservative––Moderate Liberal, and on and on we go. Well how about this one––CHRIST FOLLOWER or not!
I have pondered this over in my heart a million times over the last two weeks. I want to be known not as a political party, a baseball fan, or even a foodie. I want to be known as a Christ Follower! Jesus made a lot of simple statements as to how…
“Love your enemies!” Matt. 5:44a
“Pray for those who persecute you!” Matt. 5:44b
“If a man asked for your shirt, give him your coat as well!” Luke 6:29
“If you have done unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me!” Matt. 25:40
“A man who wants to find his life, must lose it!” Matt. 16:25
“Go Make Disciples!” Matt. 28:19
“You will do greater things than this!” John 14:12
“Yes, now, go and do likewise!” Luke 10:37
Now, let us all go and be Christ-like, Christ Followers! Let us go and do LIKEWISE!
Cool, my sermon text for tomorrow! Slightly different take, the Samaritan is the hero, but would you let him be? Would you let your enemy be your hero, or would you humble yourself if it meant being healed by the enemy? We are all at times the man in the ditch, the man on the other side, or the hero….. I agree, let us go and do likewise…be the hero!